Dog of the Military
Author's Note: I assume Havoc fought in Ishval as part of the clean-up operations. The manga doesn't tell us whether he did, but doesn't rule it out either.
Somehow, somewhere, Roy and Jean discuss Kimbley's words.
"Someone once told me that when I chose to wear this uniform, I accepted the fact that I might be called on to do what I did in Ishval," said Roy.
"That's stupid, sir," said Jean, with his usual tact.
"Stupid, second lieutenant?"
"Er, I guess not. With Bradley in charge. But when Bradley took over as Fuhrer, didn't he accept the responsibility to use us only to protect Amestris? Doesn't he owe us anything?"
"What does a master owe his dog?" answered Roy.
"Yeah, people talk like that, but actually a master owes his dog a lot, sir. Especially if it's a working dog and not just a pet. You can't train a dog to guard cattle and then expect it to kill them."
"He also said if I wanted to complain, I shouldn't kill in the first place," Roy continued.
"Where did this guy grow up? Some city kid from the right side of town? Doesn't everybody have the right to self-defense? But what if you're little or weaker than the guy that's trying to kill you? Is there something wrong with someone else fighting for you? So if someone takes on the job of doing that, even if it means they have to kill, how does that mean they agree to kill anyone they're told to?"
"Come now, Havoc. The military can't operate if soldiers question orders. Especially in combat."
"That's the tricky part. You got to follow orders or everything falls apart. A soldier can't know everything that's going on - that's what the leader is for. You got to trust that the guy at the top knows what's going on and keeps his side of the bargain. That's why you obey, that's why you put on the uniform. But what if the guy in charge is sick or crazy or just plain evil? D'you still follow orders?
"Guess it comes down to what kind of dog the master wants.
"Do you want a cowering animal that'll do whatever you say no matter what? You better not set a dog like that to guard your house. He'll cave in to anyone who tries to break in.
"Want a guard dog that's straining at the leash to kill? Well, be sure he's always on the leash, cause he'll turn on you if he gets the chance.
"How about a dog who's loyal to you and will protect you with his life, without any orders at all, because he trusts you? Well then, you gotta earn that trust. And keep it. Some dogs are just naturally trusting and some aren't. But most of them, you can gain their trust and most of them, you can lose it too.
"I know what kind of dog I am.
"You and I did some really awful things in Ishval and we're responsible. I get that. But what about the guy who sent us there in the first place? You tell me, sir. How's he gonna redeem himself?"
Author's Notes
Written for Prompt 112 at FMA Fic Contest as "Dog of the Military"